US8793924B2 - Crawfish fishing lure - Google Patents

Abstract

A fishing lure includes a body resembling the shape of a crawfish. The fishing lure includes a wire material and a flexible material connecting portions of a tail of the lure, and a passage through the body of the lure for receiving a fishing line such that an upward pulling of the fishing line passing through the passage causes a relative movement the portions of the tail in the downward action, and wherein the wire material operates to return the portions of the tail to their original position to generate a backwards movement of the lure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fishing lure.

Fishing lures are well known for use in catching fish. Fishing lures are typically attached to an end of a fishing line and designed to attract a fish to bite on a hook attached to the fishing lure. Fishing lures are designed to simulate or resemble a natural food source (e.g., a bait fish) for the fish both in appearance and in movement. The present invention provides improvements over the prior art fishing lures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a fishing lure that includes a body resembling the shape of a crawfish, a flexible material, a wire material, a connection point, and a passage through the body. The body includes a plurality of interconnected body portions, where a trailing subset of the body portions includes a tail portion of the body. The flexible material is interconnected between the body portions of the tail portion to facilitate relative movement between the body portions of the tail portion. The relative movement between the body portions of the tail portion resembles a downward action of the tail of a crawfish. The wire material tends to resist the downward action of the body portions of the tail portion. The connection point is on a lower portion of the tail portion, and the passage is configured to receive a fishing line. The passage and the connection point are relatively positioned and arranged such that an upward pulling of the fishing line passing through the passage and connected to the connection point causes the relative movement of the body portions of the tail portion in the downward action. The wire material operates to return the body portions of the tail portion to their original position prior to the pulling. The upward pulling of the fishing line and resulting action of the tail portion tends to move the lure in a rearward direction when the lure is submerged in water.

These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not a limitation of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a left side view of the fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows another left side view of the fishing lure, wherein pulling of the fishing line causes a relative movement of body portions of a tail portion of the fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows yet another left side view of the fishing lure, wherein further pulling of fishing line causes the relative movement of the body portions of the tail portion in a downward action in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure taken through the line7-7 axis ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fishing lure taken through the line8-8 axis ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 9-12 show left side views of the fishing lure describing the operation of the fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 show portions and dimensions of various parts of an exemplary fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1,2 and3 show afishing lure10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Specifically,FIGS. 1,2 and3 illustrate a perspective view, a top view and a bottom view of thefishing lure10, respectively. Thefishing lure10 includes abody12 resembling the shape of a crawfish, a flexible material14 (as shown inFIG. 3), a wire material16 (as shown inFIG. 3), a connection point18 (as shown inFIG. 3), and apassage20 through thebody12. Thebody12 includes a plurality of interconnectedbody portions21, where a trailing subset of thebody portions21 includes atail portion34 of thebody12. Theflexible material14 is interconnected between thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 to facilitate relative movement between thebody portions21 of thetail portion34. The relative movement between thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 resembles a downward action of the tail of a crawfish. In one embodiment, the downward action comprises a curling motion. Thewire material16 tends to resist the downward action of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34. Theconnection point18 is on alower portion36 of thetail portion34, and thepassage20 is configured to receive afishing line38.

Thepassage20 and theconnection point18 are relatively positioned and arranged such that an upward pulling of thefishing line38 passing through thepassage20 and connected to theconnection point18 causes the relative movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 in the downward action (as shown by arrow B inFIG. 6). Thewire material16 operates to return thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 to their original position prior to the pulling. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9, when in the original position, thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 are generally configured in a straight or slightly curved orientation. The upward pulling of thefishing line38 and resulting action of thetail portion34 tends to move thefishing lure10 in a rearward direction (as shown by an arrow C inFIGS. 9-12) when thefishing lure10 is submerged in water.

In one embodiment, thebody portions21 are generally made from a rigid material. In one embodiment, thebody portions21 are made from a plastic material. In one embodiment, the plastic material that is used to form thebody portions21 may include a floatable plastic material. For example, such floatable plastic material may include a one to one ratio of micro bubbles to resin by volume. In another embodiment, the plastic material that is used to form thebody portions21 may include polycarbonate resin thermoplastic material (e.g., a Lexan® material supplied by SABIC Innovative Plastics). Alternatively, in another embodiment, thebody portions21 are made from a wood material. Yet in another embodiment, thebody portions21 are generally made from a semi-rigid material or a flexible material.

In one embodiment, thebody portions21 may include ahead portion22, acentral portion23, and the trailing subset of thebody portions21 forming thetail portion34. In the illustrated embodiment, as just one example is shown inFIGS. 1-3, the trailing subset of thebody portions21 that form thetail portion34 may include five body portions24-32. However, the number ofbody portions21 that form thetail portion34 can vary significantly in number.

In one embodiment, thebody portion21 having thepassage20 therein is referred to as thecentral portion23. In one embodiment, thehead portion22 and thecentral portion23 are formed together as a unitary structure. In another embodiment, thehead portion22 and thecentral portion23 are made of separate body portions. As shown inFIG. 4, thehead portion22 may includetop head portion22A andbottom head portion22B and thecentral portion23 may include topcentral portion23A and bottomcentral portion23B. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, thetop head portion22A and the topcentral portion23A may form a unitarytop body portion25.

Each of the body portions forming thetail portion34 includes opposing, body portions. For example, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9, the body portions24-32 forming thetail portion34 includetop body portions24A,26A,28A,30A, and32A, andbottom body portions24B,26B,28B,30B, and32B, respectively. In one embodiment, thetop body portions24A,26A,28A,30A, and32A may generally include a semi-circular cross-sectional configuration (when the cross-section of thefishing lure10 is taken through a line along or parallel to8-8 axis ofFIG. 2). For example, as shown inFIG. 8, thetop body portion28A may generally include a semi-circular cross-sectional configuration when the cross-section of thefishing lure10 is taken through the line8-8 axis ofFIG. 2.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, thebottom body portions24B,26B,28B,30B, and32B generally include a triangular cross-sectional configuration when the cross-section of thefishing lure10 is taken through the line7-7 axis ofFIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, thebottom body portions24B,26B,28B,30B, and32B resemble swimmerets (i.e., short appendages that are used for swimming) of the crawfish.

In one embodiment, thebody portion32B of thefishing lure10 is weighted. Thebody portion32B may be made from a metal material. In one embodiment, thebody portion32B is made from a brass material. In one embodiment, the weight of thebody portion32B is 2 grams.

In one embodiment, thebody portions22B and23B of thefishing lure10 are weighted. Thebody portions22B and23B are made from metal materials. In one embodiment, thebody portion22B is made from a lead material and thebody portion23B is made from a brass material. In one embodiment, the weights of thebody portions22B and23B are 8.5 grams and 2.5 grams, respectively.

Theweighted body portions22B and23B disposed in the forward portion of thefishing lure10 and theweighted body portion32B disposed in the rearward portion of thefishing lure10 are constructed and arranged to provide a slightly curved orientation of thefishing lure10, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9, when the tension in thefishing line38 is released (i.e., thefishing line38 is not pulled through water).

In one embodiment, ahook40 is attached to thehead portion22. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, thehook40 is a double hook (e.g., a round bend worm hook or a frog hook). In another embodiment, thehook40 may include a single hook or a three pronged hook (or a treble hook). Thehook40 can be attached to thelure10 by being slid into grooves or channels (not shown) formed in thehead portion22 and adhering them in place (e.g., via an adhesive). In another embodiment, thehook40 is molded into thebody portions21 of thefishing lure10. In one embodiment, thehook40 is made from a 4/0 American Wire Gauge (AWG) wire.

Thefishing lure10 may include a pair ofclaws50. In one embodiment, theclaws50 can be attached to thelure10 by adhering them in place (e.g., via an adhesive). In another embodiment, thelure10 may include grooves (not shown) that are configured to receive (coiled) wire portions49 (e.g., made from a stainless steel material). In one embodiment, the diameter of the stainless steel wire that is used to form the coiledwire portions49 is 0.021 inches. In one embodiment, the coiledwire portions49 are shaped to pierce and penetrate into theclaws50 and hold them firmly in place. In one embodiment, the coiledwire portions49 allow wiggling action or movement of theclaws50 as thefishing lure10 is moved through water in a rearward direction.

In one embodiment, theclaws50 are made of a soft plastic material. In the illustrated embodiment, theclaws50, one on each side of thehead portion22, resemble chelipeds of the crawfish. The position and the number of theclaws50 on thefishing lure10 can vary significantly.

Thefishing lure10 may include a plurality oflegs46. Thelegs46 can be attached to thelure10 by being slid intogrooves48 formed in thebody portions21 and adhering them in place (e.g., via an adhesive). In one embodiment, thelegs46 are made of a rubber material or an elastomeric material. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1-3, thefishing lure10 has eightlegs46. In the illustrated embodiment, thelegs46, two on each side of thehead portion22 and two on each side of thecentral portion23, resemble walking legs of the crawfish. The position and the number of thelegs46 on thefishing lure10 can vary significantly.

In one embodiment, theclaws50 and thelegs46 are constructed and arranged to move (or wiggle) as thefishing lure10 is moved through water in the rearward direction C (as shown inFIGS. 9-12).

Thehead portion22 of thefishing lure10 includeseyes54, one on each side of thehead portion22, formed onouter surfaces56 thereof.

Thefishing lure10 may include atail fin52. In one embodiment, thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B sandwich at least a portion of thetail fin52 therebetween. The procedure in which thetail fin52 is attached to thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B is discussed in detail below. In one embodiment, thetail fin52 are made of a semi rigid plastic material. In one embodiment, the thickness of the semi rigidplastic tail fin52 is 0.012 inches.

The attachment mechanism, such as tying theline38 to thefishing line loop44. In one embodiment, thefishing line38 is secured directly to thefishing line loop44. In another embodiment, thefishing line38 is connected to thefishing line loop44 by using a connector. In one embodiment, thefishing line hoop44 may be made from a stainless steel material. In one embodiment, the diameter of the stainless steel wire that is used to form thefishing line hoop44 is 0.021 inches.

Thefishing lure10 includes thepassage20 therethrough to enable thefishing line38 to slidably pass through thepassage20 for connection with the connection point18 (or thefishing line hook44 disposed) on thelower portion36 of thetail portion34. In one embodiment, thepassage20 includes a generally cylindrical shaped configuration. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, thepassage20 include alower portion60 and anupper portion62. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, a diameter of thelower portion60 is greater than a diameter of theupper portion62. In one embodiment, the diameter of the lower portion is 0.203 inches and the diameter of theupper portion62 is 0.625 inches. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, a height of thelower portion60 is 0.16 inches and a height of theupper portion62 is 0.235 inches.

In one embodiment, theflexible material14 is formed from a polyester material. In another embodiment, theflexible material14 is made from a nylon material. In one embodiment, theflexible material14 is in the form of a nylon ribbon. In the illustrated embodiment, theflexible material14 may include fabric strands, for example, polyester or nylon strands.

In one embodiment, thewire material16 is formed from an alloy of nickel (Ni) and Titanium (Ti) materials. The alloy of nickel (Ni) and Titanium (Ti) materials is generally referred to Nitinol. Nitinol is generally known to exhibit shape memory and superelasticity (or pseudoelasticity) properties. These properties enable thewire material16 to regain its original (initial) shape after the load applied to the wire material16 (e.g., because of the upward pulling of the fishing line38) is removed. When in the original shape thewire material16 enables the body portions of thetail portion34 to be generally in a straight or a slightly curved orientation as shown inFIGS. 4 and 9. In one embodiment, the diameter of the Nitinol wire that is used to form thewire material16 is 0.012 inches.

A method of manufacturing thefishing lure10 is described here. The method of manufacture begins by taking theflexible material14 of a desired length and width. In one embodiment, theflexible material14 is cut to a desired length and width. For example, the length of theflexible material14 may be at least equal to or slightly more than the length of thetail portion34 of thefishing lure10. In such embodiment, when theflexible material14 is cut to a desired length and width, binding is provided along the edges (e.g., cut edges) of theflexible material14 to prevent tearing and fraying of theflexible material14.

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to adhere thewire material16 to theflexible material14. In one embodiment, thewire material16 having identical length or at least substantially the same length as theflexible material14 is taken and is adhered to a lower surface65 (as shown in insert ofFIG. 5 and inFIG. 8) of theflexible material14. In one embodiment, thewire material16 may include a pair ofwire material portions16A and16B that are adhered, one on each side (i.e., right side and left side), on thelower surface65 of theflexible material14.

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to join the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B to each other. First, thehook40 is received in channel or grooves formed in inner surfaces of thebottom head portion22B. Similarly, the coiledwire portions49 are received in channel or grooves formed in the inner surfaces of thebottom head portion22B. Once thehook40 and the coiledwire portions49 are accommodated in their respective channels or grooves, the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B are moved towards each other and adhered to each other (e.g., via an adhesive) thereby holding (sandwiching) thehook40 and the coiledwire portion49 in place. Also, thegrooves48 are formed on the inner surfaces of the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B align such that when the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B are adhered to each other thegrooves48 are constructed and arranged to receive the legs46 (i.e., four front legs46) therein.

In one embodiment, a portion51 (as shown inFIGS. 13 and 14) is placed between the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B as the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B are moved towards each other and adhered to each other (e.g., via an adhesive) thereby sandwiching theportion51 therebetween. Theportion51 may be made from LEXAN® material. In one embodiment, theportion51 enables thehooks40 remain in place as thehooks40 are being sandwiched between the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B. In another embodiment, thefishing lure10 may not include theportion51. In such embodiment, thehooks40 are first molded into the unitary top body portion25 (when unitarytop body portion25 is formed by, for example, injection molding), and then the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B (along with the hooks40) adhered to each other (e.g., via an adhesive).

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to join the unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B to each other and to the portion of theflexible material14. The unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B are moved towards each other. As the unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B move towards each other, the unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B sandwich a portion of the flexible material14 (with thewire material16 adhered thereon) therebetween such that at least a portion of the unitarytop body portion25 and at least a portion of the bottomcentral portion23B are adhered on opposite sides of the portion of theflexible material14. The unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B are adhered to each other and to the portion of theflexible material14 using an adhesive. Thegrooves48 are formed on the inner surfaces of the unitarytop body portion25 and the bottomcentral portion23B align such that when the unitarytop body portion25 and the bottomcentral portion23B are adhered to each other thegrooves48 are constructed and arranged to receive the legs46 (i.e., four back legs46) therein. Also, when the unitary top body portion25 (along with thebottom head portion22B) and the bottomcentral portion23B are adhered to each other, the upper andlower portions62 and60 (as shown inFIG. 7) of thepassage20 are aligned with each other to form thepassage20.

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to join top and bottom body portions of thetail portion34 to the flexible material14 (with thewire material16 adhered thereon) from opposite sides. Thetop body portions24A,26A,28A, and30A and thebottom body portions24B,26B,28B, and30B are adhered to the flexible material14 (with thewire material16 adhered thereon) from opposite sides using an adhesive.

Thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B are moved towards each other. As thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B move towards each other, thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B sandwich a portion of the flexible material14 (with thewire material16 adhered thereon) and a portion of thetail fin52 therebetween such that at least a portion of thetop body portion32A and at least a portion of thebottom body portion32B are adhered on opposite sides of the portion of theflexible material14 and the portion of thetail fin52. Thetop body portion32A and thebottom body portion32B are adhered to each other and to the portion of theflexible material14 and to the portion of thetail fin52 using an adhesive.

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to apply color to thefishing lure10. In one embodiment, the color coating is applied to thefishing lure10 using air brushing technique. For example, an air brush (not shown) is used to apply color coating to thefishing lure10. In one embodiment, a holographic pattern of the fish is transferred to and adhered to surface of thebody portion21 using hot stamping technique. In one embodiment, the hot stamping technique is performed prior to applying the color coating to thebody portions21. The colors or color combinations used during the color coating process allow thefishing lure10 to resemble a crawfish and to help attract target species of fish (e.g., channel catfish, largemouth bass, pike and muskie).

The next procedure in the method of manufacture of thefishing lure10 is to attach theclaws50 andlegs46 to thefishing lure10.

Thelegs46 are generally inserted into thegrooves48 are adhered within thegrooves48 using an adhesive. In one embodiment, thegrooves48 are formed between the unitarytop body portion25 and thebottom head portion22B to receive the fourfront legs46. In one embodiment, thegrooves48 are formed between the unitarytop body portion25 and the bottomcentral portion23B to receive the fourrear legs46. In another embodiment, thelegs46 are attached to the outer surfaces67 of thebody portions21 using an adhesive. In one embodiment, thelegs46 are attached to the side surfaces of thebody portions21 using an adhesive. It is to be understood that the location of thelegs46 is not limited to the locations described above, but may be attached at other locations on thebody portions21.

Theclaws50 are generally pierced into the coiled wire (not shown) to hold them firmly in place.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the relative movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 in a downward action. In one embodiment, the downward action comprises a curling motion. Specifically,FIG. 4 illustrates thefishing lure10 in its original position (that is prior to the upward pulling of the fishing line38). When in the original position, thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 are generally configured in a straight (or slightly curved) orientation as shown inFIG. 4. As noted earlier, theweighted body portions22B,23B and32B are constructed and arranged to provide the fishing lure with a slightly curved orientation. Alternatively, in another embodiment, thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 are generally configured in a straight orientation when in the original position.

As shown inFIG. 5, the upward pulling (in the direction of an arrow A) of thefishing line38 causes the relative movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 in the direction of an arrow B. In other words, when thefishing line38 that is passing through thepassage20 and connected to theconnection point18 is pulled upwards (in the direction of the arrow A), first the body portions32 (having the connection point18) of thetail portion34 and the flexible material14 (and the tail fin52) between thebody portions32 are pulled along with thefishing line38. Since the body portions24-32 of thetail portion34 are interconnected to each other using the sameflexible material14, pulling of the flexible material14 (between the body portions32) causes the movement of the body portions24-30 of thetail portion34 along with it (in the direction of the arrow B).

As can be clearly seen in an insert inFIG. 5, thewire material16 is attached to theflexible material14 on thelower surface65 of theflexible material14. Thewire material16 tends to resist the downward curling action of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34. In one embodiment, the upward pulling of the fishing line38 (in the direction of the arrow A) causes the relative movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 in the downward curling action against the bias of thewire material16. As will be clear from the discussions with respect to theFIGS. 9-12, thewire material16 operates to return the body portions24-32 to their original position (shown inFIGS. 4 and 9) when the tension in thefishing line38 is released (i.e., thefishing line38 is not pulled through water).

As thefishing line38 is further pulled upward in the direction of the arrow A it causes further (relative) movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34. This further movement of the body portions24-32 of thetail portion34 continues until thetail portion34 of thefishing lure10 is in a curled or a tucked position as shown inFIG. 6. In the tucked or curled position, thetail portion34 of thefishing lure10 is completely curled or tucked under the body of thefishing lure10. In the tucked or curled position, thetail fin52 engages with alower surface74 of thebody portion22B, which acts as a stop to prevent any further movement of the body portions of thetail portion34. The relative movement of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 resembles a downward action of the tail of a crawfish.

The operation of thefishing lure10 is described in detail with respect toFIGS. 9-12. Thefishing line38 of thefishing lure10 is typically connected to a fishing rod and a reel (not shown). Thefishing lure10 is then cast into areas of water where target species of fish (e.g., channel catfish, largemouth bass, pike and muskie) may be found. Thefishing lure10 may be skillfully moved in the areas of water to attract target species of fish, and to encourage the target species of fish to bite thefishing lure10.

FIG. 9 illustrates thefishing lure10 in its original position (that is prior to the pulling of the fishing line38). As noted above, when in the original position, thebody portions21 of thetail portion34 are generally configured in a straight orientation or a slightly curved orientation.

The upward pulling of the fishing line38 (that is passing through thepassage20 and connected to the connection point18) in the direction of the arrow A causes thebody portions32 of thetail portion34 and the flexible material14 (and the tail fin52) between thebody portions32 to be pulled along with thefishing line38. Since the body portions24-32 of thetail portion34 are interconnected to each other using the sameflexible material14, pulling of the flexible material14 (between the body portions32) causes the movement of the body portions24-30 of thetail portion34 in the direction of the arrow B.

As noted above, thewire material16, which is attached to theflexible material14 on thelower surface65 of theflexible material14, tends to resist the downward action of thebody portions21 of thetail portion34. When the tension in thefishing line38 is released (i.e., thefishing line38 is not pulled through water), thewire material16 then operates to return the body portions24-32 to their original position.

When thelure10 is submerged in water, the orientation and the position of thepassage20 and theconnection point18 is such that upward pulling of thefishing line38 and resulting action of thetail portion34 tends to move the lure in a rearward direction (as shown by an arrow C). The pulling and releasing of thefishing line38 causes rapid back and forth movements (i.e., the position shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 and the position shown inFIG. 9) of thetail portion34. In other words, the pulling and releasing of thefishing line38 causes thetail portion34 to move from the position shown inFIG. 9 to the position shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, and from the position shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 to the position shown inFIG. 12. As shown inFIGS. 9-12, the resulting action of the tail portion34 (i.e., caused by the pulling and releasing of the fishing line38) causes thetail portion34 and thetail fin52 to act as a paddle to move thelure10 in the rearward direction C. In one embodiment, thetail fin52 acts as a paddle blade to push against the water to move the lure in the rearward direction C.

Also, the rapid back and forth movements of the tail portion34 (caused by the pulling and releasing of the fishing line38) causes theclaws50 and thelegs46 of thefishing lure10 to move (or wiggle) as thefishing lure10 is moved rearward through water in the direction C. This action of thetail portion34, theclaws50 and thelegs46 of thefishing lure10 simulates an actual crawfish swimming backwards (i.e., in the rearward direction C) in water to catch the attention of the target species of fish.

FIGS. 13-14 show portions and dimensions of various parts of an exemplary fishing lure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The portions and dimensions of various parts of the exemplary fishing lure shown inFIGS. 13-14 are intended to be merely exemplary and not limiting in any way. The various parts of the exemplary fishing lure shown inFIGS. 13-14 are drawn to scale in accordance with one embodiment, although other scales and shapes may be used in other embodiments. The dimensions of various parts of the exemplary fishing lure as shown inFIGS. 13-14 are measured in inches unless indicated otherwise. In one embodiment, the dimensions of various parts of the exemplary fishing lure, as shown inFIGS. 13-14, are up to 10 percent greater than or up to 10 percent less than those illustrated.

In one embodiment, the length of the fishing lure generally ranges between 3 and 4 inches, when measured from an end of thehook40 to an end of thetail fin52. In one embodiment, the weight of thefishing lure10 generally ranges between 21 to 28 grams. One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thefishing lure10, which resembles a crawfish, shown in the figures and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. It is within the scope of the invention to provide a fishing lure, which is having the shape of a shrimp or other similar crustaceans, with any or all of the features of the present invention. For example, the flexible tail portion constructed according to the principles of the present invention can be applied to any other fishing lure, for example, having the shape of a crustacean.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims (31)

What is claimed is:

1. A fishing lure comprising:

a body resembling a shape of a crawfish, the crawfish-shaped body comprising a plurality of interconnected body portions, a trailing subset of the body portions comprising a tail portion of the body, the crawfish-shaped body having a top side and an under side;

a flexible material interconnected between the body portions of the tail portion to facilitate relative movement between the body portions of the tail portion, the relative movement resembling a downward action of the tail of a crawfish;

a resilient wire material tending to resist the downward action of the body portions of the tail portion;

a connection point on a lower portion of the tail portion;

a passage extending generally vertically through the crawfish-shaped body, from the top side to the under side, the passage disposed in a central portion of the craw-fish shaped body, and the passage receiving a fishing line; and

at least one hook attached to a forward portion of the crawfish-shaped body, the hook extending above an upper surface on the top side of the craw-fish shaped body;

wherein the passage and the connection point being relatively positioned and arranged such that an upward movement of the fishing line passing through the generally vertical passage and connected to the connection point causes the relative movement of the body portions of the tail portion in the downward action, and wherein the wire material operates to return the body portions of the tail portion to an original position of the body portions of the tail portion prior to the upward movement,

wherein the passage and the connection point are constructed and arranged such that the upward movement of the fishing line through the generally vertical passage and resulting action of the tail portion tends to move the lure in an upward and a rearward direction when the lure is submerged in water,

wherein each of the body portions forming the tail portion includes a top body portion and a bottom body portion, and

wherein the top body portion and the bottom body portion of each of the body portions forming the tail portion are disposed on opposing sides of the flexible material such that the flexible material and the resilient wire material extend between the top body portion and the bottom body portion.

2. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein in the original position the body portions of the tail portion are generally configured in a straight or slightly curved orientation.

3. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the passage is disposed on one or more of the plurality of the interconnected body portions that are closer to the tail portion.

4. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the passage enables the fishing line to slidably pass therethrough for connection with the connection point on the lower portion of the tail portion.

5. The fishing line ofclaim 1, wherein the connection point is in the form a fishing line loop, the fishing line loop is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment of the fishing line to the lower portion of the tail portion.

6. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, further comprising legs and grooves formed on the body portions to accommodate the legs.

7. The fishing lure ofclaim 6, wherein the legs are constructed and arranged to slide into the grooves of the body portions and to attach with the body portion.

8. The fishing lure ofclaim 6, wherein the legs are made of a rubber material.

9. The fishing lure ofclaim 6, wherein the legs are made of an elastomeric material.

10. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, further comprising claws and wire portions attached to the body.

11. The fishing lure ofclaim 10, wherein the wire portions are constructed and arranged to pierce and penetrate into the claws and to hold them in place.

12. The fishing lure ofclaim 11, wherein the claws are made from a soft plastic material.

13. The fishing lure ofclaim 10, wherein the wire portions are made from a stainless steel material.

14. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, further comprising a tail fin at least partially disposed between trailing body portions of the tail portion.

15. The fishing lure ofclaim 14, wherein the tail fin is made from a semi rigid plastic material.

16. The fishing lure ofclaim 14, wherein the upward movement and releasing of the fishing line and resulting action of the tail portion causes the tail portion and the tail fin to act as a paddle to move the lure in the rearward direction.

17. The fishing lure ofclaim 14, wherein the upward movement and releasing of the fishing line and resulting action of the tail portion causes the tail fin to act as a paddle blade to push against the water to move the lure in the rearward direction.

18. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the body portions are made from a plastic material.

19. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the body portions are made from a wood material.

20. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible material is made from a nylon material.

21. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the flexible material is formed from a polyester material.

22. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the wire material is formed from a nickel and titanium alloy material so as to enable the wire material to regain its original shape after the load applied to the wire material because of the upward movement of the fishing line being removed.

23. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the downward action comprises a curling motion.

24. The fishing lure ofclaim 23, wherein the curling motion of the tail portion continues until the tail portion is completely curled or tucked under the body of the fishing lure.

25. The fishing lure ofclaim 24, wherein, when the tail portion is in a curled or tucked position, a tail fin engages with a surface disposed at the forward portion and the underside of the crawfish-shaped body, and wherein lower surface acts as a stop to prevent any further movement of the tail portion.

26. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein at least two body portions of the plurality of interconnected body portions that are disposed at the forward portion of the crawfish-shaped body are weighted to form forwardly weighted body portions and at least one body portion of the tail portion of the craw-fish shaped body is weighted to form a rearwardly weighted body portion, and wherein the forwardly and rearwardly weighted body portions of the craw-fish shaped body are constructed and arranged to provide a slightly curved orientation of the fishing lure when the fishing line is not pulled through water.

27. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein the top body portion of each of the body portions forming the tail portion has a semi-circular cross-sectional configuration.

28. The fishing lure ofclaim 27, wherein the bottom body portion of each of the body portions forming the tail portion has a triangular cross-sectional configuration so as to resemble swimmerets of the crawfish.

29. The fishing lure ofclaim 1, wherein a length of the flexible material is at least equal to or slightly more than a length of the tail portion of the fishing lure.

30. The fishing lure ofclaim 29, wherein the wire material has an identical length or at least the same length as the flexible material and the wire material is adhered to a lower surface of the flexible material.

31. The fishing lure ofclaim 30, wherein the wire material includes a pair of wire material portions that are adhered, one on each side on the lower surface of the flexible material.

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